Empowering self-care: A handbook for pharmacists

Supporting and empowering individuals to responsibly engage in self-care is an important part of pharmacists’ daily practice around the world. Self-care spans the whole wellness spectrum, from disease prevention to the management of symptoms and common ailments. It also encompasses interventions ranging from advice on non-prescription medicines and medical devices (often described as “over the counter”) to education on healthy diets, hygiene and mindfulness practices.1 The ability to engage in self-care empowers individuals to act on their own health and well-being, and it encourages the inclusion of their input and specific needs when making healthcare decisions. Self-care empowers people and societies to transform health. Moreover, to promote health equity, health literacy is needed, and there is significant room for improvement and for greater research in this field. Self-care has been conceptualised through internationally recognised frameworks.2 The Self-Care Matrix is a widely accessible framework that conveys the concept of the “totality” of self-care by highlighting the inter-relationships between four cardinal dimensions of self-care. These dimensions are: 1. Person-centred self-care activities; 2. Self-care behaviours; 3. Self-care in the context of resource utilisation; and 4. The prevailing environment as a key enabler of self-care practice. Self-care is an important contributor to universal health coverage (UHC) through savings in healthcare expenditure and the reallocation of resources by means of reduced use and pressure on healthcare systems. For example, patient education and assessment conducted by pharmacists in addition to supporting the informed choice of non-prescription medicines could relieve the burden placed on healthcare systems, such as in primary care facilities or emergency departments, from patients seeking consultation for minor ailments, and lessen the reliance on prescription-only medicines

Random-walk simulation of cell migration and proliferation

Cell migration and proliferation has been modelled in several works of the literature as a process similar to diffusion. However, diffusion models to simulate the proliferation and migration of cells tend to create a homogeneous distribution in the cell density, but this result is not real. Diffusion is not the mechanism of cell dispersal: cells disperse by crawling or proliferation, or are transported in a moving fluid. The use of stochastic models or other (cellular automata, models particles, etc...) can modify this limitation. Therefore, this paper presents a stochastic model (random-walk) to simulate the proliferation and migration of cells. Both processes are considered as completely stochastic as discrete. The model developed aims to predict the behavior of in vitro cell cultures performed with adult muscle satellite cells. Non homogeneous distribution of cells has been observed inside the culture well. Using previous stochastic model we have been able to predict the non homogeneous cell distribution and accurate quantitative results have been computed. In a future, the model will allow us to incorporate other aspects such as cell differentiation, incorporate several cell populations simultaneously, etc

Leveraging community assets to tackle social isolation and loneliness: a needs assessment of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

This study is an investigation of factors that influence the routine adoption and diffusion of evidence-based asset-based community development (ABCD) initiatives to combat social isolation and loneliness in the contemporary setting (using LBH&F as a case study

Prediction of Modulus of Rupture from Modulus of Elasticity for Some Egyptian Hardwoods

The MOE and MOR of 112 air-dry small, clear specimens (2 x 2 x 30 cm) of six species of hardwoods grown in Egypt were determined. Simple linear regression analysis revealed that MOR is highly correlated with MOE of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Khaya senegalensis, Tamarix articulata and Casuarina spp. However, the "r" values for Jacaranda ovalifolia and Melia azedarach were not significant. In addition, covariance analysis showed that the six regressions equations have different slopes and Y-intercepts and therefore cannot be grouped. The only grouping was that between the regression lines of the first three species mentiones above.Introducing specific gravity in the regression equation did not result in improving the correlation coefficients, except in the case of Casuarina spp. Using specific gravity alone for predicting the MOR was found to be unreliable due to the relatively low "r" values obtained for the species except in the case of Casuarina spp

Public libraries to promote public health and wellbeing: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling adults

Purpose of research: To explore the potential of libraries as community hubs to promote mental and physical health and wellbeing. Design: Cross-sectional online survey and interview-based study with community-dwelling adults and library staff. Methods: We analysed data from 605 respondents using a 14-item electronic survey and conducted interviews with 12 library users and staff to gauge perceptions. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to identify key trends and emergent themes. Results: Libraries remain popular and are considered a'safe place' by members of the community, irrespective of whether they are frequent users of services. Library users' lack of awareness of community-facing services could act as a hurdle to improving community health and wellbeing. Targeted engagement with residents is needed to increase awareness of libraries' services, including community interventions to help tackle loneliness and inequalities in digital and health literacy. Library staff often did not feel involved in important decision-making. Various barriers, drivers and practical recommendations were identied to leverage libraries as hubs to promote community health and wellbeing. Conclusion: Libraries already offer a variety of resources that either directly or indirectly support the health and wellbeing of community-dwelling adults and young people, but public awareness of these services is limited. As we navigate postpandemic recovery, libraries can serve as platforms for community engagement, fostering resilience, mental health support, and reducing social isolation. Recognising libraries' untapped potential can lead to healthier communities and improved wellbeing

Mathematical Description of the Change in Properties of Casuarina Wood Upon Exposure to Gamma Radiation. 1. Changes in the Compressive and Tensile Strength

Casuarina cunninghamiana specimens were exposed to gamma-radiation doses ranging from 104 to 108 rad and tested in compression and tension parallel to grain. The percentage values of the irradiated specimens relative to that of the matched control (Y) were determined. The relationship between (Y) and log gamma radiation dose (X) was represented mathematically by the equation: Y = aXbcx. This equation described the change in compressive and tensile strength very well as was detected from the high correlation coefficients. Generally these properties increased slightly at low levels of radiation, reached a maximum, then decreased gradually thereafter. The reduction in tensile strength was more pronounced than in compressive strength.The threshold dose, i.e., the dose beyond which the properties began to decrease, was calculated. This dose ranged from 3.69 x 106 to 3.76 x 106 rad for compressive strength properties and from 1.51 x 106 to 1.70 x 106 rad for tensile strength properties. This indicated that irradiated casuarina wood had a greater resistance to compression than to tension

High prevalence of refractive errors in 7 year old children in Iran

Background: The latest WHO report indicates that refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment throughout the world. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism in 7 yr old children in Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study in 2013 with multistage cluster sampling, first graders were randomly selected from 8 cities in Iran. All children were tested by an optometrist for uncorrected and corrected vision, and non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic refraction. Refractive errors in this study were determined based on spherical equivalent (SE) cyloplegic refraction. Results: From 4614 selected children, 89.0 participated in the study, and 4072 were eligible. The prevalence rates of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism were 3.04 (95 CI: 2.30-3.78), 6.20 (95 CI: 5.27-7.14), and 17.43 (95 CI: 15.39-19.46), respectively. Prevalence of myopia (P=0.925) and astigmatism (P=0.056) were not statistically significantly different between the two genders, but the odds of hyperopia were 1.11 (95 CI: 1.01-2.05) times higher in girls (P=0.011). The prevalence of with-the-rule astigmatism was 12.59, against-the-rule was 2.07, and oblique 2.65. Overall, 22.8 (95 CI: 19.7-24.9) of the schoolchildren in this study had at least one type of refractive error. Conclusion: One out of every 5 schoolchildren had some refractive error. Conducting multicenter studies throughout the Middle East can be very helpful in understanding the current distribution patterns and etiology of refractive errors compared to the previous decade. © 2016. Iranian Journal of Public Health. All Right Reserved

Triage and diagnostic accuracy of Online Symptom Checkers: a systematic review

Background: In the context of a deepening global shortage of health workers, and particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, there is growing international interest in and use of online symptom checkers (OSCs). However, the evidence surrounding the safety and accuracy of OSCs remains inconclusive so far. The triage and diagnostic accuracy of these tools is an essential aspect that needs to be addressed before pushing any further implementation. Objective: This systematic review aimed to summarize the existing peer-reviewed literature evaluating the triage accuracy (directing users to appropriate services based on their presenting symptoms) and diagnostic accuracy of OSCs aimed at lay users for general health concerns. Methods: Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, CINAHL, HMIC and Web of Science. We included peer-reviewed studies published in English between 1 January 2010 and 17 February 2022 with a quantitative assessment of triage and/or diagnostic accuracy of OSCs directed at lay users. We excluded tools supporting health professionals, and disease- or speciality-specific OSCs. Screening and data extraction were carried out independently by two reviewers for each study. We performed a descriptive narrative synthesis. Results: 21,284 studies were screened and 15 were included. Six studies reported on both triage and diagnostic accuracy, eight focused on triage accuracy, and one on diagnostic accuracy. Diagnostic and triage accuracy varied between studies and OSCs; most studies showed suboptimal diagnostic and triage accuracy. Frequency and urgency of the condition were the main variables that affected the levels of diagnostic and triage accuracy, along with specific features of the OSCs. The impact of each variable differed across tools and studies, making it difficult to draw any solid conclusions. Included studies had either a moderate or high risk of bias according to the revised tool for the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. Conclusions: While OSCs have significant potential to provide accessible and accurate health advice and triage recommendations to users, more research is needed to validate their triage and diagnostic accuracy prior to wide scale adoption in community and healthcare settings. Future studies should aim to use a common methodology and/or agreed standard for evaluation to facilitate objective benchmarking and validation

Chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil increases survival of SOD1 mouse model of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal motor neuron disease with no cure. Currently there are only two ALS drugs approved by the FDA, both with a limited therapeutic effect. In the search for drug candidates for ALS, we studied the effect of known stem cell mobilizing agents (treatment) and antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (anti-treatment) in SOD1G93A model of ALS. Surprisingly, we found that anti-cancer drug 5-FU increases lifespan, delays the disease onset and improves motor performance in ALS mice. Although we were not able to demonstrate the mechanistic basis of the beneficial 5-FU action in ALS mice, our findings suggest that 5-FU or similar drugs are possible drug candidates for the treatment of motor neuron diseases through drug repurposing