Real-time measurement of needle forces and acute pressure changes during intravitreal injections.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to use a physiological pressure transducer to measure real-time, continuous pressure changes in an ex vivo study model of porcine eyes to record the amount of force needed for scleral penetration and to measure acute intraocular pressure rise during intravitreal injections. METHODS: A pressure transducer was inserted into the anterior chamber of 30 fresh porcine eyes, and intraocular pressure was measured 2 s prior to intravitreal injection until 2 s after. A force transducer plate was used to insert various gauge needles into the vitreous cavity and the amount of force in Newtons (N) required for scleral penetration was recorded. RESULTS: For scleral perforation, 32- and 30-gauge needles required 0.44 N and 0.45 N, significantly less than larger gauge needles (P < 0.05). Similarly, 27- and 25-gauge needles required more force than smaller gauge needles but less than 19 gauge (P < 0.05). Intraocular pressure increased an average of 64.5 mmHg during intravitreal injection. Two seconds postinjection intraocular pressure readings showed a residual intraocular pressure increase of 11.1 mmHg from pre-injection baseline. CONCLUSION: Real-time continuous recordings of pressure reveal that an instantaneous intraocular pressure spike occurs during intravitreal injection and appears to be separate from the intraocular pressure spike that occurs during needle insertion. This pressure spike is transient and has not been captured by previous methods of intraocular pressure measurement, which rely on single time point measurements. The clinical significance of this brief intraocular pressure spike is unclear and warrants further investigation.

"Magic Bullet": Eccentric Macular Hole as a Complication from Dexamethasone Implant Insertion.

Introduction. Intravitreal drug injections and implants are generally safe but do carry some risk, from both the procedure itself and adverse effects of the medications. We report a case of an eccentric macular hole after dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) administration. Ex vitro force testing was performed to evaluate dexamethasone implant injection force. Methods. Five dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) applicators were placed 16 mm from a force plate and the force of the injected dexamethasone pellet was recorded in Newtons. Four dexamethasone implant applicators were placed 16 mm from a force plate in a basic saline solution and the force of the pellet was recorded. Results. Average maximum force in air was 0.77 N and 0.024 N in a basic saline solution (BSS). Conclusion. We present a case report of an eccentric macular hole after dexamethasone implant administration. We hypothesize a mechanical injury to the retina during insertion caused the macular hole. Force testing done in air demonstrated sufficient force from the pellet injection to cause retinal damage though injections done in BSS showed reduced forces.

Escherichia coli Eyelid Abscess in a Patient with Alcoholic Cirrhosis.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a rare cause of ocular infections and has not yet been reported as a cause of an ocular abscess. We describe the case of a 47-year-old woman with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis who presented with painful left lower eyelid swelling that did not improve with oral antibiotics. The abscess was drained and cultures were positive for E. coli. Patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk for developing E. coli bacterial infections, but to our knowledge this is the first case of an E. coli eyelid abscess reported in the literature.

Anemia and compliance to oral iron supplementation in a sample of children attending the public health network of Rosario, Santa Fe.

INTRODUCTION: Medicinal iron supplementation is a free and widely used intervention to prevent and treat childhood anemia. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of anemia in a sample of children from Rosario, to describe the use of iron supplements in children included in the studied sample, and to illustrate variables potentially related to mothers' adherence to oral iron administration. POPULATION AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving mothers and infants younger than 42 months old assisted by the public health network of Rosario from December 2011 to April 2012 was conducted. Sociodemographic variables and data on children's health, growth, anemia, and iron administration were collected. A rapid test was used to determine hemoglobin level. RESULTS: A total of 325 mother-infant dyads were included. The overall prevalence of anemia was 40% (95% CI: 35-45%), and it increased up to 56% in the 6-23 month old group. Fifty-one percent of mothers reported that their children had at some time received iron. Mothers' adherence to oral iron administration was higher in the group of children without anemia in comparison to those with anemia (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.1-0.69). The most common causes for lack of adherence included gastrointestinal intolerance (38%) and forgetfulness (36%). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of childhood anemia in the studied sample was high. A lower mothers' adherence to iron administration was observed in the group of children with anemia.

Anemia y adherencia a la suplementación oral con hierro en una muestra de niños usuarios de la red de salud pública de Rosario, Santa Fe / Anemia and compliance to oral iron supplementation in a sample of children attending the public health network of Rosario, Santa Fe

Introducción. La suplementación con hierro medicinal es una intervención gratuita y ampliamente utilizada para prevenir y tratar la anemia infantil. Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia de la anemia en una muestra de niños rosarinos, describir el uso de suplementos con hierro en los niños de la muestra estudiada y detallar las variables potencialmente relacionadas con la adherencia de las madres a la administración oral del hierro. Población y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal que incluyó a madres y niños menores de 42 meses atendidos en la red de salud pública de la ciudad de Rosario entre diciembre de 2011 y abril de 2012. Se recolectaron variables sociodemográficas y datos sobre salud, crecimiento, anemia y administración de hierro en el niño. Se usó una prueba rápida para determinar el nivel de hemoglobina. Resultados. Se incluyeron 325 pares de madres y niños. La prevalencia global de la anemia fue del 40% (IC 95% 35% a 45%) y aumentó hasta un 56% en el grupo de 6 a 23 meses. El 51% de las madres refrieron que su hijo había tomado hierro alguna vez. La adherencia de las madres a la administración del hierro fue mayor en los niños sin anemia en comparación con los niños con anemia (OR 0,28; IC 95% 0,1 a 0,69). Las causas más frecuentes de falta de adherencia fueron la intolerancia digestiva (38%) y el olvido (36%). Conclusiones. La prevalencia de la anemia infantil en la muestra estudiada fue alta. Se observó menor adherencia de las madres a la administración del hierro en el grupo de niños con anemia.(AU)

Introduction. Medicinal iron supplementation is a free and widely used intervention to prevent and treat childhood anemia. Objectives. To determine the prevalence of anemia in a sample of children from Rosario, to describe the use of iron supplements in children included in the studied sample, and to illustrate variables potentially related to mothers adherence to oral iron administration. Population and methods. A cross-sectional study involving mothers and infants younger than 42 months old assisted by the public health network of Rosario from December 2011 to April 2012 was conducted. Sociodemographic variables and data on childrens health, growth, anemia, and iron administration were collected. A rapid test was used to determine hemoglobin level. Results. A total of 325 mother-infant dyads were included. The overall prevalence of anemia was 40% (95% CI: 35-45%), and it increased up to 56% in the 6-23 month old group. Fifty-one percent of mothers reported that their children had at some time received iron. Mothers adherence to oral iron administration was higher in the group of children without anemia in comparison to those with anemia (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.1-0.69). The most common causes for lack of adherence included gastrointestinal intolerance (38%) and forgetfulness (36%). Conclusions. Prevalence of childhood anemia in the studied sample was high. A lower mothers adherence to iron administration was observed in the group of children with anemia.(AU)

Anemia y adherencia a la suplementación oral con hierro en una muestra de niños usuarios de la red de salud pública de Rosario, Santa Fe / Anemia and compliance to oral iron supplementation in a sample of children attending the public health network of Rosario, Santa Fe

Introducción. La suplementación con hierro medicinal es una intervención gratuita y ampliamente utilizada para prevenir y tratar la anemia infantil. Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia de la anemia en una muestra de niños rosarinos, describir el uso de suplementos con hierro en los niños de la muestra estudiada y detallar las variables potencialmente relacionadas con la adherencia de las madres a la administración oral del hierro. Población y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal que incluyó a madres y niños menores de 42 meses atendidos en la red de salud pública de la ciudad de Rosario entre diciembre de 2011 y abril de 2012. Se recolectaron variables sociodemográficas y datos sobre salud, crecimiento, anemia y administración de hierro en el niño. Se usó una prueba rápida para determinar el nivel de hemoglobina. Resultados. Se incluyeron 325 pares de madres y niños. La prevalencia global de la anemia fue del 40% (IC 95% 35% a 45%) y aumentó hasta un 56% en el grupo de 6 a 23 meses. El 51% de las madres refrieron que su hijo había tomado hierro alguna vez. La adherencia de las madres a la administración del hierro fue mayor en los niños sin anemia en comparación con los niños con anemia (OR 0,28; IC 95% 0,1 a 0,69). Las causas más frecuentes de falta de adherencia fueron la intolerancia digestiva (38%) y el olvido (36%). Conclusiones. La prevalencia de la anemia infantil en la muestra estudiada fue alta. Se observó menor adherencia de las madres a la administración del hierro en el grupo de niños con anemia.

Introduction. Medicinal iron supplementation is a free and widely used intervention to prevent and treat childhood anemia. Objectives. To determine the prevalence of anemia in a sample of children from Rosario, to describe the use of iron supplements in children included in the studied sample, and to illustrate variables potentially related to mothers' adherence to oral iron administration. Population and methods. A cross-sectional study involving mothers and infants younger than 42 months old assisted by the public health network of Rosario from December 2011 to April 2012 was conducted. Sociodemographic variables and data on children's health, growth, anemia, and iron administration were collected. A rapid test was used to determine hemoglobin level. Results. A total of 325 mother-infant dyads were included. The overall prevalence of anemia was 40% (95% CI: 35-45%), and it increased up to 56% in the 6-23 month old group. Fifty-one percent of mothers reported that their children had at some time received iron. Mothers' adherence to oral iron administration was higher in the group of children without anemia in comparison to those with anemia (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.1-0.69). The most common causes for lack of adherence included gastrointestinal intolerance (38%) and forgetfulness (36%). Conclusions. Prevalence of childhood anemia in the studied sample was high. A lower mothers' adherence to iron administration was observed in the group of children with anemia.

Health literacy and glaucoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review discusses the concept and measurement of health literacy, with a focus on the care of patients with glaucoma. RECENT FINDINGS: Nearly one-fourth of adults in the USA lack the skills needed to fully comprehend and act on verbal or written information in the healthcare environment. This problem, referred to as poor health literacy, is associated with worse health-related outcomes in many chronic diseases, including glaucoma. Patients with glaucoma and poor literacy skills are less likely to refill their prescribed medications and miss more scheduled appointments than their more literate peers. Moreover, ophthalmic educational materials are often written at a level of readability that surpasses the skills of many patients with glaucoma. SUMMARY: Patients with chronic eye diseases such as glaucoma and limited health literacy skills are vulnerable to poor visual outcomes. Attention to health literacy may improve the care and outcomes of these patients.

Anemia and compliance to oral iron supplementation in a sample of children attending the public health network of Rosario, Santa Fe. / Anemia and compliance to oral iron supplementation in a sample of children attending the public health network of Rosario, Santa Fe.

INTRODUCTION: Medicinal iron supplementation is a free and widely used intervention to prevent and treat childhood anemia. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of anemia in a sample of children from Rosario, to describe the use of iron supplements in children included in the studied sample, and to illustrate variables potentially related to mothers adherence to oral iron administration. POPULATION AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving mothers and infants younger than 42 months old assisted by the public health network of Rosario from December 2011 to April 2012 was conducted. Sociodemographic variables and data on childrens health, growth, anemia, and iron administration were collected. A rapid test was used to determine hemoglobin level. RESULTS: A total of 325 mother-infant dyads were included. The overall prevalence of anemia was 40

(95

CI: 35-45

), and it increased up to 56

in the 6-23 month old group. Fifty-one percent of mothers reported that their children had at some time received iron. Mothers adherence to oral iron administration was higher in the group of children without anemia in comparison to those with anemia (OR: 0.28; 95

CI: 0.1-0.69). The most common causes for lack of adherence included gastrointestinal intolerance (38

) and forgetfulness (36

). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of childhood anemia in the studied sample was high. A lower mothers adherence to iron administration was observed in the group of children with anemia.

Deficits in peroneal latency and electromechanical delay in patients with functional ankle instability.

The purpose of this study was to compare alterations in peroneal latency and electromechanical delay (EMD) following an inversion perturbation during walking in patients with functional ankle instability (FAI) and with a matched control group. Peroneal latency and EMD were measured from 21 patients with unilateral FAI and 21 controls. Latencies were collected during a random inversion perturbation while walking. EMD measures were collected during stance using a percutaneous stimulus. Two-way ANOVAs were used to detect differences between leg (affected, unaffected) and group (FAI, Control). Functionally unstable ankles displayed delayed peroneus longus (PL) latencies and EMD when compared to the unaffected leg and a matched control group. Peroneal latency and EMD deficits could contribute to recurrence of ankle injury in FAI subjects. How these deficits are associated with the chronic symptoms associated with FAI remains unclear, but gamma activation and subsequent muscle spindle sensitivity likely play a role.

Mucosal innate immune factors in the female genital tract are associated with vaginal HIV-1 shedding independent of plasma viral load.

Recent studies indicate that mucosal innate immune factors modulate HIV-1 infection in vitro. Our interest was to examine the levels of innate mucosal factors for their potential association with HIV-1 shedding in the female genital tract. Vaginal lavages were collected from HIV-1-infected women who had vaginal viral loads (VVL) that were below, within, or above the 90% confidence interval (CI) predicted by their matched plasma viral loads. Innate immune factors [cathepsin D, lactoferrin (Lf), myeloid related protein (MRP)-8, MRP-8/14, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, and gp340], cytokines (IL-1beta and TNF-alpha), and chemokines (MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, RANTES, and SDF-1alpha) were quantified by ELISA. Leukocyte levels were determined using a leukocyte reagent strip for urinalysis. Lf, MRP-8/14, gp340, and IL-1beta levels were significantly higher in vaginal lavages above the 90% CI and generally correlated with each other and with VVL. Leukocyte levels were significantly higher in the lavages that had virus shedding above the 90% CI and correlated strongly with Lf levels and VVL. In this group of women, these results suggest that the levels of certain innate immune factors are more closely associated with HIV-1 shedding in the genital mucosa than plasma virus concentrations.

Mucosal and systemic antibody responses in humans infected with simian foamy virus.

Simian foamy virus (SFV) infection and the subsequent immune response are not well characterized. Blood plasma, saliva, and urine were obtained from four humans and nine chimpanzees persistently infected with chimpanzee-type SFV for an unknown length of time. SFV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, but not IgA antibodies, against the Gag and Bet proteins were detected, by Western blotting, in all sample types from infected humans and chimpanzees. Overall, chimpanzee samples had higher anti-SFV IgG titers than humans. These results provide a first comparative evaluation of SFV-specific host mucosal humoral immunity in infected humans and chimpanzees that is characterized by a predominant IgG response and a virtually absent IgA response.