The effect of voltaren on the initial acclimation to rigid gas permeable contact lenses

BACKGROUND: A randomized, masked study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of 0.1% diclofenac sodium (Voltaren) in facilitating initial acclimation to rigid gas permeable contact lenses. METHODS: Thirty optometry student volunteers were divided into two groups, with one being an experimental group and the other being a control group. Prior to study commencement, each group was required to complete a questionnaire regarding how they perceived they would adapt to rigid gas permeable lenses in each of nine categories. The categories tested were dryness, itching, pain, lens movement, lacrimation, blinking, overall comfort, overall adaptation, and overall satisfaction. Upon study commencement, the experimental group received one drop in each eye of Voltaren 30 minutes, 15 minutes, and just prior to lens insertion. The control group received drops of the ocular lubricating drop Genteal following the same regimen as the experimental group. Lenses were inserted in both eyes of each subject in both groups after the third drop instillation. Each group was allowed to acclimate to their lenses for one hour at which time each group received one more of their respective drops in both eyes. Both groups continued to acclimate to the lenses for one more hour. At the end of the second hour both groups were required to complete a questionnaire regarding how they felt they adapted to the rigid lenses. Lenses were then removed upon completion of the adaptation questionnaire. RESULTS: Repeated measures ANOVA with significance at p \u3c .05 level showed no statistical difference between Voltaren and Genteal in all nine categories tested. CONCLUSION: 0.1% diclofenac sodium shows no benefit over Genteal in aiding initial acclimation to rigid gas permeable contact lenses

An Innovative Collaboration Of An Academic Institution With A Community Recovery Center

Research poster documenting the following project: The University of New England (UNE) collaborated with local recovery centers to create an interdisciplinary service learning partnership. Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program explored the role of PT in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery in an elective course. Three interactive PT related sessions were developed for the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Pinetree Recovery Center with the purpose of providing tools for physical activity to aid in the SUD recovery process.https://dune.une.edu/cecespring2020/1009/thumbnail.jp

Predictors of clinically significant postprocedural hypotension after carotid endarterectomy and carotid angioplasty with stenting

ObjectivesSignificant hypotension after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid angioplasty with stenting (CAS) has been correlated with adverse outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors that predict hypotension after patients undergo CEA and CAS.MethodsThe review included 1474 CEA patients and 157 CAS patients who underwent procedures from 2002 to 2008. Specific patient characteristics, such as comorbid diseases, degree of carotid stenosis, presence of neurologic symptoms, and preprocedure medications, were assessed. Also reviewed were specific postprocedural clinical outcomes, including hypotension requiring pressors, myocardial infarction, stroke, death, and hospital length of stay.ResultsThe incidence of clinically significant hypotension was 12.6% in CEA patients and 35% in CAS patients (P < .001). Clinically significant hypotension was correlated with increased postprocedural myocardial infarction (2.1% vs 0.5%, P = .022), increased mortality (2.1% vs 0.1%, P < .001), and length of stay >2 days (46.3% vs 27.4%, P = .01). Hypotension was not associated with increased postprocedural strokes (0.8% vs 0.6%, P = .75) or recurrent neurologic symptoms (0.4% vs 0.3%, P = .55). Preoperative nitrate use predicted a greater incidence of postprocedural hypotension (P = .043). A history of tobacco use was correlated with postprocedure hypotension (P = .033). Preprocedural strokes, the use of calcium channel blockers, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, prior myocardial infarction, degree of preprocedural carotid stenosis, type of stent, previous ipsilateral and contralateral interventions, and female gender did not correlate with postprocedural hypotension (P >.05).ConclusionsPostprocedural hypotension occurs more commonly with CAS than CEA and is associated with increased postprocedural myocardial infarction and length of stay, and death. Nitrates and tobacco use predict a higher incidence of postprocedural hypotension. High-risk patients should be aggressively managed to prevent the increased morbidity and mortality due to postprocedural hypotension

The Macronuclear Genome of \u3cem\u3eStentor coeruleus\u3c/em\u3e Reveals Tiny Introns in a Giant Cell

The giant, single-celled organism Stentor coeruleus has a long history as a model system for studying pattern formation and regeneration in single cells. Stentor [1, 2] is a heterotrichous ciliate distantly related to familiar ciliate models, such as Tetrahymena or Paramecium. The primary distinguishing feature of Stentor is its incredible size: a single cell is 1 mm long. Early developmental biologists, including T.H. Morgan [3], were attracted to the system because of its regenerative abilities—if large portions of a cell are surgically removed, the remnant reorganizes into a normal-looking but smaller cell with correct proportionality [2, 3]. These biologists were also drawn to Stentor because it exhibits a rich repertoire of behaviors, including light avoidance, mechanosensitive contraction, food selection, and even the ability to habituate to touch, a simple form of learning usually seen in higher organisms [4]. While early microsurgical approaches demonstrated a startling array of regenerative and morphogenetic processes in this single-celled organism, Stentor was never developed as a molecular model system. We report the sequencing of the Stentor coeruleus macronuclear genome and reveal key features of the genome. First, we find that Stentor uses the standard genetic code, suggesting that ciliate-specific genetic codes arose after Stentor branched from other ciliates. We also discover that ploidy correlates with Stentor’s cell size. Finally, in the Stentor genome, we discover the smallest spliceosomal introns reported for any species. The sequenced genome opens the door to molecular analysis of single-cell regeneration in Stentor

The tropical rain belts with an annual cycle and a continent model intercomparison project: TRACMIP

This paper introduces the Tropical Rain belts with an Annual cycle and a Continent Model Intercomparison Project (TRACMIP). TRACMIP studies the dynamics of tropical rain belts and their response to past and future radiative forcings through simulations with 13 comprehensive and one simplified atmosphere models coupled to a slab ocean and driven by seasonally-varying insolation. Five idealised experiments, two with an aquaplanet setup and three with a setup with an idealized tropical continent, fill the space between prescribed-SST aquaplanet simulations and realistic simulations provided by CMIP5/6. The simulations reproduce key features of present-day climate and expected future climate change, including an annual-mean intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) that is located north of the equator and Hadley cells and eddy-driven jets that are similar to present-day climate. Quadrupling CO2 leads to a northward ITCZ shift and preferential warming in Northern high-latitudes. The simulations show interesting CO2-induced changes in the seasonal excursion of the ITCZ and indicate a possible state-dependence of climate sensitivity. The inclusion of an idealized continent modulates both the control climate and the response to increased CO2; for example, it reduces the northward ITCZ shift associated with warming and, in some models, climate sensitivity. In response to eccentricity-driven orbital seasonal insolation changes, seasonal changes in oceanic rainfall are best characterized as a meridional dipole, while seasonal continental rainfall changes tend to be symmetric about the equator. This survey illustrates TRACMIP's potential to engender a deeper understanding of global and regional climate and to address questions on past and future climate