Changes of Radial Diffusivity and Fractional Anisotopy in the Optic Nerve and Optic Radiation of Glaucoma Patients

Purpose of this study was to evaluate with diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) changes of radial diffusivity (RD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in the optic nerve (ON) and optic radiation (OR) in glaucoma and to determine whether changes in RD and FA correlate with disease severity. Therefore, glaucoma patients and controls were examined using 3T. Regions of interest were positioned on RD and FA maps, and mean values were calculated for ON and OR and correlated with optic nerve atrophy and reduced spatial-temporal contrast sensitivity (STCS) of the retina. We found, that RD in glaucoma patients was significantly higher in the ON (0.74 ± 0.21 versus 0.58 ± 0.17·10−3 mm2 s−1; P < 0.05) and OR (0.79 ± 0.23 versus 0.62 ± 0.14·10−3 mm2 s−1; P < 0.05) compared to controls. Aside, FA was significantly decreased (0.48 ± 0.15 versus 0.66 ± 0.12 and 0.50 ± 0.20 versus 0.66 ± 0.11; P < 0.05). Hereby, correlation between changes in RD/FA and optic nerve atrophy/STCS was observed (r > 0.77). In conclusion, DTI at 3 Tesla allows robust RD and FA measurements in the ON and OR. Hereby, the extent of RD increase and FA decrease in glaucoma correlate with established ophthalmological examinations

Bacteria on Shared Mobile Phones Can Lead to Infections

It\u27s now a common practice for hospital-owned mobile phones to be shared among healthcare employees from shift to shift. Despite the benefit of increased, timely communication between caregivers, sharing mobile devices can lead to the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) if they aren\u27t properly disinfected. The Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities describe non-critical environmental surfaces as items that are frequently touched by the hand and may pose a risk of secondary infection transmission

Disinfection of Shared Mobile Phones Carried by Registered Nurses: A Comparison of Two Methods

This study determined the efficacy of cleaning products on mobile phones. Previous research has demonstrated the risk for bacterial cross contamination between healthcare workers\u27 hands, close contact equipment, and mobile communication devices. There is extensive literature on survival of organisms on inanimate objects. Mobile communication devices can act as a reservoir for bacteria associated with nosocomial infection. Additional studies show cross contamination between the healthcare workers hands, the mobile phones, and the patient.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1025/thumbnail.jp

You Missed a Spot! Disinfecting Shared Mobile Phones

The use of portable mobile devices has facilitated timely communication among healthcare team members. It\u27s now a common practice for hospital-owned mobile phones to be shared among healthcare employees from shift to shift. Despite the benefit of increased, timely communication between caregivers, sharing mobile devices can lead to the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This article looks at the efficacy of two types of cleaning products on shared mobile phones carried by RNs at a 489-bed, Magnet-designated, Midwestern regional medical center. The cleaning methods evaluated were 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and ethyl alcohol wipes

Mastzellen und Eosinophile im Duodenum von Kindern mit Zöliakie

Die Zöliakie als systemische Autoimmunerkrankung entsteht durch Gluteningestion bei genetisch empfänglichen Menschen. Mastzellen (MZ) und Eosinophile (EO) interagieren eng miteinander und beeinflussen die intestinale Epithelbarriere, die auch bei der Zöliakie gestört ist. Duodenumbiopsate von 215 Kindern (109 mit Zöliakie,106 Kontrollen) wurden nach immunhistochemischer Färbung histologisch untersucht (Zellzahl und Zellverteilung). Zusätzlich wurden klinische Faktoren evaluiert. Beide Zellen waren bei Zöliakiepatient:innen erhöht, was deren Beteiligung in der Erkrankungspathobiologie unterstreicht. MZ waren häufiger gleichmäßig in der Lamina propria verteilt, wohingegen sie in Kontrollbiopsien weiter vom intestinalen Lumen entfernt waren. Dies wurde bei den EO nicht beobachtet. Diese MZ-Verteilung ist nicht abschließend erklärbar und sollte daher, ebenso wie der Einfluss weiterer Mediatoren, in weiteren Studien, beleuchtet werden