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Graefe's Archive For Clinical and... Nov 2023Intracameral antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin and cefuroxime, are safe to corneal endothelial cells and effective prophylaxis of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery....
BACKGROUND
Intracameral antibiotics, such as moxifloxacin and cefuroxime, are safe to corneal endothelial cells and effective prophylaxis of endophthalmitis after cataract surgery. Corneal endothelial cells decrease in density after cataract surgery. Any substance used in the anterior chamber may affect corneal endothelial cells and lead to a greater decrease in density. This study wants to determine the percentage of endothelial cell loss after cataract extraction by phacoemulsification with off-label intracameral injection of moxifloxacin and dexamethasone (Vigadexa®).
METHODS
An observational retrospective study was performed. The clinical records of patients undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification plus intracameral injection of Vigadexa® were analyzed. Endothelial cell loss (ECL) was calculated using preoperative and postoperative endothelial cell density. The relation of endothelial cell loss with cataract grade using LOCS III classification, total surgery time, total ultrasound time, total longitudinal power time, total torsional amplitude time, total aspiration time, estimated fluid usage, and cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) was studied using univariate linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis.
RESULTS
The median loss of corneal endothelial cells was 4.6%, interquartile range 0 to 10.4%. Nuclear color and CDE were associated with increased ECL. ECL>10% was associated with age and total ultrasound time in seconds.
CONCLUSIONS
The endothelial cell loss after the intracameral use of Vigadexa® at the end of cataract surgery was similar to the reported in other studies of cataract surgery without the use of intracameral prophylaxis for postoperative endophthalmitis (POE). This study confirmed the association of CDE and nuclear opalescence grade with postoperative corneal endothelial cell loss.
PubMed: 37227478
DOI: 10.1007/s00417-023-06095-0 -
Maternal and Child Health Journal Dec 2023Many cisgender women affected by homelessness and substance use desire pregnancy and parenthood. Provider discomfort with patient-centered counseling about reproductive...
Improving Reproductive Health Communication Between Providers and Women Affected by Homelessness and Substance Use in San Francisco: Results from a Community-Informed Workshop.
OBJECTIVES
Many cisgender women affected by homelessness and substance use desire pregnancy and parenthood. Provider discomfort with patient-centered counseling about reproductive choices and supporting reproductive decisions of these women poses barriers to reproductive healthcare access.
METHODS
We used participatory research methods to develop a half-day workshop for San Francisco-based medical and social service providers to improve reproductive counseling of women experiencing homelessness and/or who use substances. Guided by a stakeholder group comprising cisgender women with lived experience and providers, goals of the workshop included increasing provider empathy, advancing patient-centered reproductive health communication, and eliminating extraneous questions in care settings that perpetuate stigma. We used pre/post surveys to evaluate acceptability and effects of the workshop on participants' attitudes and confidence in providing reproductive health counseling. We repeated surveys one month post-event to investigate lasting effects.
RESULTS
Forty-two San Francisco-based medical and social service providers participated in the workshop. Compared to pre-test, post-test scores indicated reduced biases about: childbearing among unhoused women (p < 0.01), parenting intentions of pregnant women using substances (p = 0.03), and women not using contraception while using substances (p < 0.01). Participants also expressed increased confidence in how and when to discuss reproductive aspirations (p < 0.01) with clients. At one month, 90% of respondents reported the workshop was somewhat or very beneficial to their work, and 65% reported increased awareness of personal biases when working with this patient population.
CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE
A half-day workshop increased provider empathy and improved provider confidence in reproductive health counseling of women affected by homelessness and substance use.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Health Communication; Reproductive Health; San Francisco; Ill-Housed Persons; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 37204587
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03671-y -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2023Anthropogenic activities generally consume non-renewable resources and release polluting substances into the environment. Concerning agriculture, the cropping systems... (Review)
Review
Anthropogenic activities generally consume non-renewable resources and release polluting substances into the environment. Concerning agriculture, the cropping systems are almost based on exploiting non-renewable resources. In recent years, increasing interest has been devoted to reusing agricultural, food and other biomass wastes, considered relevant as they can be seen as resources rich in compounds that can find numerous applications. Biomass biorefining has been successfully applied and has opened up sustainable alternatives to the disposal of agricultural, agroindustrial and food wastes. In this area, an emerging, smart and environmentally friendly way to reduce the impact of waste on the environment is to obtain innovative materials for agriculture. Therefore, as part of biobased strategies, the use of waste biomass to obtain biostimulants and biogenic nanoparticles for crops has recently been proposed. Some research has shown that appropriate biostimulants and biobased nanomaterials have the potential to counteract some of the problems that plague agriculture. The above materials can improve crop performance, enhance crop tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and improve plant nutrition. In light of the above, this review aspires, in the first part, to provide an overview of the ideas and central points that characterize the concept of bioeconomy and circular economy. In the second part, on the other hand, the most recent studies related to the valorization of various types of wastes leading to innovative biobased materials and their application in agriculture are presented. In particular, biostimulants and nanoparticles obtained through biogenic synthesis using agroindustrial and plant residues have been considered. In conclusion, the studies reported in this review show that the use of some biomasses to obtain the above materials represents a sustainable way of waste management and valorization, enabling innovative biobased materials for agriculture.
Topics: Waste Management; Agriculture; Crops, Agricultural; Nanostructures; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 37150469
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163912