A global call to action to improve the care of people with fragility fractures.

The ageing of society is driving an enormous increase in fragility fracture incidence and imposing a massive burden on patients, their families, health systems and societies globally. Disrupting the status quo has therefore become an obligation and a necessity. Initiated by the Fragility Fracture Network (FFN) at a "Presidents' Roundtable" during the 5th FFN Global Congress in 2016 several leading organisations agreed that a global multidisciplinary and multiprofessional collaboration, resulting in a Global Call to Action (CtA), would be the right step forward to improve the care of people presenting with fragility fractures. So far global and regional organisations in geriatrics/internal medicine, orthopaedics, osteoporosis/metabolic bone disease, rehabilitation and rheumatology were contacted as well as national organisations in five highly populated countries (Brazil, China, India, Japan and the United States), resulting in 81societies endorsing the CtA. We call for implementation of a systematic approach to fragility fracture care with the goal of restoring function and preventing subsequent fractures without further delay. There is an urgent need to improve: To address this fragility fracture crisis, the undersigned organisations pledge to intensify their efforts to improve the current management of all fragility fractures, prevent subsequent fractures, and strive to restore functional abilities and quality of life.

Repeatability and comparability of corneal power and corneal astigmatism obtained from a point-source color light-emitting diode topographer, a Placido-based corneal topographer, and a low-coherence reflectometer.

PURPOSE: To assess the repeatability and agreement of corneal power and astigmatism obtained from the Cassini point-source color light-emitting diode (LED) topographer, Humphrey Atlas 9000 Placido-based corneal topographer, and Lenstar LS-900 low-coherence reflectometer in normal eyes. SETTING: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. DESIGN: Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology. METHODS: Consecutively enrolled patients with normal corneas were enrolled. Three sets of measurements were obtained using the color-LED topographer, the Placido topographer, and the reflectometer. Vector analysis was used in the astigmatism analysis. The repeatability was evaluated using the within-subject standard deviation, coefficient of variation (CoV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Agreement was verified using Bland-Altman plots. The paired Student t test was used to assess statistical significance. RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes (32 patients) were evaluated. All devices provided highly repeatable corneal power and astigmatism measurements (ICC > 0.9) except for the Placido topographer with regard to J45 (ICC = 0.721). The color-LED topographer and the reflectometer obtained similar mean values of corneal power, astigmatism magnitude, J0, and J45 (P > .05), which was also true when comparing the color-LED topographer and the Placido topographer, except for the mean corneal power (P = .0007). The Bland-Altman plots showed a wide data spread for all analyzed variables. CONCLUSIONS: The color-LED topographer provided highly repeatable corneal power and astigmatism measurements. Even though it obtained values similar to those of the reflectometer and the Placido topographer, the wide data spread discourages their interchangeable use to assess corneal power and astigmatism. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Drs. Wang, Koch, and Weikert are consultants to Ziemer USA, Inc. Dr. Koch is a consultant to Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Alcon Surgical, Inc., and i-Optics, Corp. Drs. Ventura and Al-Mohtaseb have no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Surgical management of astigmatism with toric intraocular lenses.

Correction of corneal astigmatism is a key element of cataract surgery, since post-surgical residual astigmatism can compromise the patient's uncorrected visual acuity. Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) compensate for corneal astigmatism at the time of surgery, correcting ocular astigmatism. They are a predictable treatment. However, accurate measurement of corneal astigmatism is mandatory for choosing the correct toric IOL power and for planning optimal alignment. When calculating the power of toric IOLs, it is important to consider anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism, along with the surgically induced astigmatism. Accurate toric lens alignment along the calculated meridian is also crucial to achieve effective astigmatism correction. There are several techniques to guide IOL alignment, including the traditional manual marking technique and automated systems based on anatomic and topographic landmarks. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on astigmatism management with toric IOLs, including relevant patient selection criteria, corneal astigmatism measurement, toric IOL power calculation, toric IOL alignment, clinical outcomes and complications.

Surgical management of astigmatism with toric intraocular lenses / Uso de lentes intraoculares tóricas no tratamento cirúrgico de astigmatismo

Correction of corneal astigmatism is a key element of cataract surgery, since post-surgical residual astigmatism can compromise the patient's uncorrected visual acuity. Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) compensate for corneal astigmatism at the time of surgery, correcting ocular astigmatism. They are a predictable treatment. However, accurate measurement of corneal astigmatism is mandatory for choosing the correct toric IOL power and for planning optimal alignment. When calculating the power of toric IOLs, it is important to consider anterior and posterior corneal astigmatism, along with the surgically induced astigmatism. Accurate toric lens alignment along the calculated meridian is also crucial to achieve effective astigmatism correction. There are several techniques to guide IOL alignment, including the traditional manual marking technique and automated systems based on anatomic and topographic landmarks. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on astigmatism management with toric IOLs, including relevant patient selection criteria, corneal astigmatism measurement, toric IOL power calculation, toric IOL alignment, clinical outcomes and complications.

O tratamento do astigmatismo corneal é um fator importante na cirurgia de catarata, uma vez que o astigmatismo residual pode comprometer a acuidade visual não corrigida do paciente após a cirurgia. Lentes intraoculares (LIOs) tóricas compensam o astigmatismo corneal no momento da cirurgia, corrigindo o astigmatismo ocular. Ademais, constituem um tratamento previsível. Entretanto, é necessário obter uma medida precisa do astigmatismo corneal para selecionar o poder correto da LIO tórica e para planejar o melhor alinhamento da mesma. No cálculo do poder da LIO tórica, é importante considerar o astigmatismo das superfícies anterior e posterior da córnea, além do astigmatismo induzido na cirurgia. O alinhamento da lente tórica no meridiano planejado é essencial para se obter uma correção efetiva do astigmatismo. Há várias técnicas para guiar o alinhamento da LIO, incluindo a técnica de marcação manual tradicional e sistemas que se baseiam em pontos de referência anatômicos e topográficos. O objetivo desse artigo de revisão é discutir o uso de LIOs tóricas no tratamento de astigmatismo corneal, incluindo os critérios de seleção dos pacientes, a medida do astigmatismo corneal, o cálculo do poder da LIO tórica, o alinhamento da LIO tórica, os resultados clínicos e as complicações.

Anorexia in rats infected with the nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: experimental manipulations.

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis induces a biphasic anorexia in laboratory rats, the first phase coincident with lung invasion (ca day 2) and the second when the worms mature in the intestine (ca day 8). Using the anthelminthic, mebendazole (MBZ), N. brasiliensis infections of the rat were eliminated between the first and second anorexic episodes. This intervention prevented the expression of the second phase of anorexia. Rats exposed to a second infection with N. brasiliensis, 3 weeks after the primary infection, exhibited only a first phase anorexic response which was not influenced by MBZ termination of the primary infection. The lower cumulative food intake and weight gain of all infected rats after 8 days of infection were accompanied by elevated plasma insulin and, in some individuals, by elevated plasma leptin, compared with uninfected controls and previously-infected MBZ-treated rats. Messenger RNA levels for neuropeptide Y were higher in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of 8-day infected rats than in recovering MBZ-treated animals. Inoculation of rats with heat-killed N. brasiliensis larvae failed to induce anorexia and did not alter the severity of biphasic anorexia on subsequent injection of viable larvae. The first anorexic episode is therefore dependent upon viable migrating larvae. The second phase of anorexia clearly requires the continuing presence of the parasite beyond the lung phase. Viable migrating larvae are also required to confer 'resistance' to reinfection.

Client preferences for HIV inpatient care delivery.

This study was concerned with preferences for inpatient models of care by the HIV/AIDS client group, in particular the difference between gay white men (European) and black heterosexuals of African/Caribbean origin. Satisfaction with the care currently provided was also an area of interest. Thirteen per cent (n = 79) of the were surveyed. Seventy per cent (n = 56) of the HIV/AIDS client group indicated a preference for a dedicated care model. Significant results were obtained demonstrating differences in the care model preferred by gay white men and black heterosexuals (p < 0.01). Gay white men were much more likely to state they would leave the trust to receive dedicated care (p < 0.01). Black heterosexuals were more likely to state that they would change treatment areas to avoid dedicated care (p < 0.01) Differences in concern about confidentiality were noted between the two groups. Confidentiality may be one of a number of factors influencing preference of care for African/Caribbeans and this needs to be studied further. The clients surveyed were not universally satisfied with the care they had been receiving. Following the results of the survey radical changes in the management of HIV inpatient care were made.

HIV Seroprevalence trends among antenatal clinic attenders in Trinidad and Tobago - abstract

Seroepidemiological studies in selected sentinel populations are essential for monitoring changes in the prevalence of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection in these groups. The data that they yield are critical for the design, implementation and evaluation of preventive or control strategies and activities. Two HIV serosurveys were conducted in Trinidad and Tobago among samples of antenatal clinic attenders at government health facilities during 1990 and in 1991/1992. Seropositivity was also assessed in relation to a number of demographic factors such as age, geographic location and ethnicity. The overall seroprevalence of HIV infection as assayed by Immunofluorescence or Western Blot analyses was 0.28 and 0.62 per cent in 1990 and 1991/1992, respectively. In both serosurveys, HIV antibody positive ateenders were significantly younger than their seronegative counterparts. The increased number of clinic sites at which seropositive women were identified in 1991/1992 over 1990 strongly suggests that there was further penetration of HIV into this population. Changes in the ethnic distribution of seropositive attenders have also been observed over the intersurvey period. The results of these studies emphasize the need for reorienting our HIV prevention and control programmes to ensure that young adolescent females are not only well informed about prevention, but also actually engage in risk education behaviours. Additionally, the apparent doubling in HIV seroprevalence rates over a 12-15-month period points to the urgent need for developing clear policy guidelines for pregnant HIV-infected women as regards reproductive choices and breast feeding options (AU)

Neonatal screening for biotinidase deficiency: results of a 1-year pilot study.

We screened 81,243 infants born in Virginia during the 1-year period beginning Jan. 24, 1984, for deficiency of the enzyme biotinidase. A simple colorimetric screening procedure was used to detect the presence or absence of biotinidase activity on the same blood-soaked filter paper cards that are currently used in most neonatal metabolic screening programs. Two newborn infants with biotinidase deficiency were identified during the 12-month pilot study. In addition, two affected siblings of one of the newborn infants were detected through secondary family screening. On the basis of these results, the disorder appears to be at least as frequent as several others for which newborn screening is currently conducted. There were no known false-negative test results, and only 0.09% false-positive results that necessitated requests for second blood samples. False-positive test results can be readily identified by the use of a quantitative assay, which can also be used to confirm the diagnosis and to detect heterozygous family members in the case of true positives. On the basis of currently recognized criteria, biotinidase deficiency should be considered for inclusion among the metabolic disorders for which screening is performed in the neonatal period.