Ophthalmology in proverbs and aphorisms

After a comprehensive review of available texts and literature covering five millennia, the authors present a collection of ophthalmic proverbs and aphorisms with an examination of their applicability within current medical knowledge. A total of 74 ophthalmic proverbs and aphorisms were retrieved from 130 texts and divided into seven categories: (i) importance of vision ('The eyes, like sentinels, hold the highest place in the body'); (ii) definition of blindness and anatomical observations ('The eye is protected by the lashes, eyebrows, and orbit'); (iii) diseases of the eye such as presbyopia, sensitivity to light and dry eye ('Tear in the eye is jewel'); (iv) the eye as a window of the body; (v) vulnerability of the eye ('The eye cannot oppose an awl'); (vi) health behaviours and protection of sight ('Be gentle with two: women and eyes'), and finally; and (vii) nutrition and vision ('Carrots improve vision'). The majority of these proverbs and aphorisms can be used as a guide, not for prognosis, diagnosis or cure, but rather for ocular health promotion.     

Enzymatic replacement therapy in patients with late-onset Pompe disease – 6-Year follow up

Introduction

Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is a progressive metabolic myopathy, affecting skeletal muscles, which, if untreated, leads to disability and/or respiratory failure. The enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) improves muscle strength and respiratory function and prevents disease progression. We present a 6-year follow-up of 5 patients with LOPD treated with ERT.

Evaluation of Ultra-Microscopic Changes and Proliferation of Apoptotic Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells Induced by Velogenic Strain of Newcastle Disease Virus AF2240

Aim: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a member of genus Avulavirus within the family Paramyxoviridae. Interestof using NDV as an anticancer agent has arisen from its ability to kill tumor cells with limited toxicity to normal cells.Methods: In this investigation, the proliferation of brain tumor cell line, glioblastoma multiform (DBTRG.05MG)induced by NDV strain AF2240 was evaluated in-vitro, by using MTT proliferation assay. Furthermore, Cytologicalobservations were studied using fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, DNA laddering inagarose gel electrophoresis assay used to detect the mode of cell death and analysis of the cellular DNA content byflowcytometery. Results: MTT proliferation assay, Cytological observations using fluorescence microscopy andtransmission electron microscopy show the anti-proliferation effect and apoptogenic features of NDV on DBTRG.05MG.Furthermore, analysis of the cellular DNA content showed that there was a loss of treated cells in all cell cycle phases(G1, S and G2/M) accompanied with increasing in sub-G1 region (apoptosis peak). Conclusion: It could be concludedthat NDV strain AF2240 is a potent antitumor agent that induce apoptosis and its cytotoxicity increasing while increasingof time and virus titer.     

A collaborative approach to fall prevention

Collaboration among health-care providers has emerged as a key factor in improving client care. The authors describe the Geriatric Emergency Management-Falls Intervention Team (GEM-FIT) project, a nurse-led research initiative to improve fall prevention in older adults through interdisciplinary collaboration. Public health nurses and occupational therapists assessed participants before and after fall-prevention interventions and fou modest improvements in participant outcomes and reductions in modifiable risk factors. The project resulted in successful collaboration, interdisciplinary teamwork and improved service delivery to participants. Among the challenges were delayed timelines, complex issues outside the project protocol and communication difficulties. The authors, who served on the project team, make recommendations for health-care professionals interested in initiating similar projects.     

Raising the bar of care for older people in Ontario emergency departments

flynn d.s., jennings j., moghabghab r., nancekivell t., tsang c., cleland m. & shipman-vokner k. (2010) Raising the bar of care for older people in Ontario emergency departments. International Journal of Older People Nursing 5 , 219–226
doi: 10.1111/j.1748-3743.2010.00209.x Aim. To describe the role of geriatric emergency management nurses as a catalyst for culture change in emergency department processes with the goal to improve care and outcomes of older people. Background. The changing context and literature has called for a culture change within emergency department care to integrate principles of older people care into care delivery. There is a paucity of reports describing how geriatric emergency care models bring about a broader change in culture within the entire emergency department. Methods. The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care in Canada established a programme to place geriatric emergency management nurses into emergency departments with the goal to improve delivery of care through development of unique, site-appropriate solutions. Results. Geriatric emergency management nurses incorporate capacity building into their role to develop and strengthen the skills, instincts, abilities, process and resources of the emergency department. Care processes focus on areas of staffing, mobilization, comfort, medication, hygiene, nutrition/hydration, cognition, environment, equipment and stimulation. Multi-modal educational strategies and advocacy promote appropriate person-centred care. Improved communication among care providers at key patient transition points remains a priority system-level improvement. Conclusion. Geriatric emergency management nurses work collaboratively with the emergency department team to facilitate change in the way that emergency department care is provided to the older person experiencing health emergencies. Implications for practice. Known strategies that have been effective in improving outcomes for older people within the hospital and residential care setting can be generalized into emergency department care. Further research into the effectiveness of these strategies in this environment is recommended.