Current status of school vision screening—rationale, models, impact and challenges: a review

Uncorrected refractive error is the leading cause of vision impairment in children globally, and studies have demonstrated that spectacle correction addresses the large majority of childhood vision impairment. Furthermore, trial evidence illustrates the beneficial impact of spectacles on learning, with effect sizes exceeding that of other school health interventions. While it is established that good vision is important for learning and optimising childhood development and quality of life, many countries lack healthcare systems that provide vision screening or universal access to eyecare for all citizens. This review examined school vision screening across several regions/countries, focusing on conditions that should be targeted and the corresponding interventions. The range of international models, the status of global refractive service coverage and measures needed for improvement are discussed. Vision screening protocols need to effectively detect vision impairment, seamlessly connect with intervention services to deliver spectacles and signpost for future access to eyecare. Conditions which may not be treatable with spectacles alone, including amblyopia, strabismus and other ocular diseases, also warrant signposting for treatment. The vision community must unite to urge governments to invest in building service capacity; allocating the necessary resources and effectively developing public health systems to support vision screening and access to eyecare. Schools play a crucial role in enabling population-based vision screening and need to be supported with eyecare interventions and resources. This will ensure optimised approaches to correct avoidable vision loss and provide children with the educational and health outcomes they deserve

Selective Expression of a Stable Cell Surface Molecule on Type 2 but Not Type 1 Helper T Cells

T helper cell type 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2) are central to immune regulation. However, no stable cell surface marker capable of distinguishing and separating these two subsets of CD4+ cells has yet been found. Using differential display PCR, we have identified a gene encoding a cell membrane bound molecule, originally designated ST2L, T1, DER4, or Fit, expressed constitutively and stably on the surface of murine Th2s, but not Th1s even after stimulation with a range of immunological stimuli. Antibody against a peptide derived from ST2L strongly and stably labeled the surface of cloned Th2s but not Th1s, and Th2s but not Th1s derived from naive T cells of ovalbumin T cell receptor–α/β transgenic mice. Three-color single cell flow cytometric analysis shows that cell surface ST2L coexpressed with intracellular interleukin (IL)-4, but not with interferon (IFN)-γ. The antibody selectively lysed Th2s in vitro in a complement-dependent manner. In vivo, it enhanced Th1 responses by increasing IFN-γ production and decreasing IL-4 and IL-5 synthesis. It induced resistance to Leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice and exacerbated collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1 mice. Thus, ST2L is a stable marker distinguishing Th2s from Th1s and is also associated with Th2 functions. Hence, it may be a target for therapeutic intervention

E-cigarešu un E-šķidrumu bez nikotīna ietekme uz veselību

MedicīnaVeselības aprūpeMedicineHealth CarePētījuma mērķis ir izpētīt elektronisko cigarešu kaitīgo ietekmi, kad nikotīns nav pievienots izmantotajam šķidrumam. Tas ir airāku zinātniskās literatūras avotu apskats, kur ir aprakstīta elektronisko cigarešu kaitīgā ietekme. Papildus tiek analizēti nesen aprakstītie ziņojumi par “E- cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury” (EVALI). Secinājumi: Ieelpotās vielas no elektroniskajiem šķidrumiem un izgarotās daļiņas no elektronisko cigarešu aparātiem spēj izraisīt respiratorās slimības. Vairāki atradumi EVALI pacientiem liecina, ka tetrahidrokanabinoli un vitamīna E acetāts neizraisa EVALI paši par sevi, bet ir vēl vairāki faktori, kas to izraisa. Bet šīs vielas var veicināt EVALI. Ir jāveic papildus pētījumi, kopš mediķi tikai tagad ir sākuši novērot, cik daudz nelabvēlīgu seku atstāj elektroniskās cigaretes.The aim of this research paper is to investigate the possible harmful health effects of e-cigarettes when nicotine is not added to the e-liquid. It is a written literature review where existing research and analyses are being used to discuss possible harmful health effects of e-cigarettes. In addition, recent reports of “E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury” (EVALI) are analysed. Conclusions: Inhaled contents from e-liquids and emitted particles from the e-cigarette devices appear to have the ability to cause respiratory disease. The wide variety of findings in patients with EVALI implies that there are more reasons behind the disease development than simply lipid accumulation of THC and vitamin E acetate in the lungs. It appears however to be a contributing factor. More research is needed as physicians are just beginning to comprehend the health impact of e-cigarettes